Oximino steroidal derivatives and processes for their manufacture



United States Patent 3,045,011 GXHMINU STEROHDAL DERIVATIVES AND PROC- ESSES FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE Alexander L. Nussbaum, Palo Alto, Calif, assignor to Schering orporation, Bloomfield, N.J., a corporation of New Jersey N0 Drawing. Filed Dec, 20, 1961, Ser. No. 160,931

20 Claims. (Cl. 260-23955) /Z NOR Y RIOC wherein R and R are members of the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms; X is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and oxygen; Y is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and -OR R being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms; and Z is selected from the group consisting of;

Y being selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and 0R wherein R is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms. Illustrative of the acyl radicals contemplated for R, R R and R are those of lower alkanoic acids such as acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, caproic, and t-butyl acetic as well as the radicals of aryl acids such as tbenzoic and toluic acids.

Also included in my invention are lower alkyl analogs of the compounds of the above structural formulae and particularly those which are substituted by methyl or ethyl at the 2 and 6 carbon positions, such as, for ex:

ample, 6 methyl-16-oximino-17,8,20u-oxido-4-pregnene- A 3-one and 6u-mothYl-1'6-0Ximin0-17fl,20a-OXid0-4-pr6gnene-21-ol-3,11-dione.

My invention thus includes the l6-oximino-17/3,20apregnanes of Formulae I, II, and III as well as the 16- oximino-ZO-keto-pregnanes of Formulae IV, V, and VI shown below wherein X, Y, Y R and R are defined as hereinabove.

and

only,

Patented July 17, 1962 '7 1 a and cum i= -NOR Y I R i Included among the novel 16-oximino-17fl,20woxidopregnanes of Formulae I, II, and III are: 16-oximino- 17/8,20a-oxido-4-pregnene-3-one and the acetate ester thereof, 16'oximino-17/3,20a-oxido-5-pregnene-3fi-oland the 3,16-diacetate ester thereof, 16-oximino-17fi-20uoxido-4-pregnene-21-ol-3,1l-dione and the 2l-acetate and 16,21-diacetate esters thereof, 16-oximino-17B,20a-oxido- 1,4-pregnadiene-3-one and 16-oximino-175,20a-Qxido-L4- pregnadiene-2l-ol-3,1l-dione and the diacetate ester thereof.

The l6-oximino-17/8,20a-oxido-pregnanes of this invention, including the compounds of Formulae I, II, and III and the methyl analogs thereof, are prepared by my novel process whereby the ZO-nitrite ester of a ZOa-hydroxy- 16-pregnene in a dry, non-polar solvent, such as benzene or toluene, to which pyridine has been added is irradiated under nitrogen with ultra-violet radiation which possesses a band of radiation corresponding to at least some of the absorption bands of the nitrite radical.

For example, by my process 5,1 6-pregnadiene-3d20adiol is reacted with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine, and the resultant 5,16-pregnadiene-3 13,20a-di01 dinitrite is dissolved in benzene containing 1% pyridine and then subjected to ultra-violet light irradiation whereby there is formed 16-oximino-l713,20a-oxido-5-pregnene-3fl-ol.

It is to be noted at this point that, throughout the specification and in the claims of this application, the meaning of the configurations a and p when applied tothe bonding at C-ZO, differs from the meaning of u and p when used in designating bond configurations on nuclear carbons such as at C3 and at C17. Both systems of nomenclature are well known to those skilled in the steroid art and are described by Fieser and Fieser, Steroids, Reinhold (1959), the 0-20 bond configuration designation being discussed on pages 337 and 338 and the nuclear carbon-bond designations being discussed in Chapter I, and particularly on pages 1 and 2. Thus, by a 20sthydroxypregnane we mean a pregnane compound having the 21-methyl group directed to the rear of the 20-carbon atom and the hydrogen and hydroxyl group directed to the front of the 20-carbon atom, with the hydroxyl group lying to the right and the hydrogen to the left of the 20- carbon atom. On the other hand, at 0-17 in a designation signifies a bond projected to the rear or underside of the molecule and is represented by a broken line, whereas a e designation at 0-17 signifies a bond projected to the front or upper side of the molecule and is represented by a solid line.

From the above described system of nomenclature as used in this application, it is clear that by 5,16-pregnadiene- 36,20cc-di01 is meant a compound having a hydroxyl group to the right of the ZO-carbon as shown below:

It is also clear that by 16-oximino-17 3,20a-oxido-5-pregnene-S S-Ol is meant a steroid wherein the oxygen attached to 0-17 and 6-20 lies at the right of C-20 (hence 20a) and lies in the plane projected to the front or upper side of the pregnane nucleus and thus is bonded to C-l7 in a [3 configuration. With the oxido group being in a 17B,20a-position, the 20-carbon, of necessity, is bonded to the 17-carbon in an a position as designated by the broken bond lines between 0-17 and C20 in Formulae I, II, and III. When there are no substituents at 6-17 except the acetyl side chain, this chain is in a 5 position as shown in Formulae 1V, V, .and VI.

In my process whereby the aforementioned 16-oximino- 17fl,20ot-oxidopregnanes and the l6-oximino-20-ketopregnames of this invention are prepared by the ultraviolet irradiation of a pyridine-containing solution of a ZO-nitrite ester of a 16-dehydro-20a-hydroxy pregnane, the necessary intermediates are 16 dehydro 20a hydroxypregnanes.

Some are known, such as 5,l6-pregnadiene-35,20a-diol; while others are conveniently prepared by reducing the 20-ketone function of the corresponding 16-dehydro-20- ketopregnanes by means of known reduction techniques such as those utilizing metal hydrides, and, in particular, lithium aluminum hydride in tetrahydrofuran and sodium borohydride in methanol. Prior to reducing the 20-ket0 function, it is preferable to protect any other active ketone functions present in the molecule, such as at 0-3, by forming derivatives thereof, for example ketals, enolethers, and the like. When the reduction of the 20-ketopregnane is complete, the desired 20a-hydroxy-16-dehydropregnane is usually isolated from the resultant isomeric mixture of ZOocand ZOB-hydroxysteroids by utilizing chromatographic techniques well known in the art. After isolation, any ketone protective derivatives present in the ZOa-hydroxy-16-dehydropregnane may be hydrolyzed by known methods to regeneratethe free ketone function.

The following chromatographic techniques are particularly useful in separating isomeric mixtures of ZOa-hY- droXy-l6-pregnene and 20B-hydroXy-16-pregnene resulting from the metal hydride reduction of a 20-keto-16 pregnene:

(1) Thin layer chromatography on silica gel with ether as eluant;

(2) Paper chromatography utilizing the following systems: heptane-phenyl Cellosolve, heptane-methyl Cellosolve, ligroin-propylene glycol, toluene-propylene glycol; and

(3) Adsorption chromatography on Florisil utilizing ether as eluant and combining fractions having identical infra-red spectra.

In the aforedescribed manner, l6-dehydroprogesterone (4,16-pregnadiene-3,ZO-dione) is converted to a starting intermediate of my novel process, i.e., 4,16-pregnadiene- 20a-ol-3-one. Protection of the 3-keto-function is effected by selective conversion to the 3-enol ether utilizing 2,2- dimethoxypropane and dimethylformamide in the presence of catalytic quantities of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate and methanol. The resultant 3-enol ether, i.e., 3,5,16-pregnatriene-3-o1-20-one 3-methyl ether, upon reduction with lithium aluminum hydride in tetrahydrofuran in known manner, followed by acid hydrolysis of the 3-enol ether and subsequent adsorption chromatography of the isomeric mixture of 4,l6-pregnadiene-20-ol-3-one 0n Florisil using benzene as solvent and ethyl ether as eluate, yields the desired starting compound of my process, namely 4,16-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3-one.

From the 20a-hydroxy-l6-dehydropregnanes are prepared the ZOa-nitrite-l6-dehydropregnane intermediates of my process by reacting a solution of a 20a-hydroxy-16- dehydropregnane in pyridine, dimcthylformamide, ethyl acetate, or other non-polar solvent (and preferably in pyridine), with a nitrosyl halide, preferably nitrosyl chloride. The nitrosyl chloride or bromide used may be added to the ZOa-hydroxy-16-dehydropregnane solution in the same solvent as that used to dissolve the 20mhydroxypregnane or, alternatively, it may be introduced of the ZOa-nitrite ester is usually rapid and the progress of the reaction may be followed by a change in the color of the solution so that when the blue-green or other color of the nitrosyl chloride is no longer discharged or changed by reaction with the dissolved 20a-hydroxy steroid it can be assumed that the ZOu-nitrite has formed and the compound in solution is ready for separation and photolysis. The temperature at which the nitrite formation reactions usually are carried out ranges from 30 to +30 C. In general, when nitrosyl chloride is the reactant used, the reaction temperature usually ranges from 0 C. to 30 C., and preferably from 20 C. to 30 C.

After completion of the formation of the 20a-nitrite ester, the nitrite is separated usually by adding water to the solution to precipitate the nitrite and by subsequent filtering followed by crystallization and recrystallization, if desired. In the process of this invention, it is not al- 'ways necessary to further purify the nitrite ester after isolation and drying.

When preparing the ZOa-nitrite ester intermediates of this invention, the hydroxyl group at 0-3 of 5,16-pregnadiene-3B,20a-diol will also esterify, and there is formed the corresponding 3,20-dinitrite. However, the 3-nitrite ester will not enter into the reaction upon irradiation with ultraviolet light and after irradiation, will be isolated unchanged as the free hydroxyl function. However when preparing a novel compound, of my invention, any hydroxy groups present other than at 0-20, are usually preferably protected by esterification prior to preparation of the ZO-nitrite ester and irradiation according to my process. Thus, 1 ldehydro conticosterone is preferably converted to the 2l-acetate prior to reduction with lithium aluminum hydride and conversion of the 4-pregnene-20u,2l diol- 3,1l-dione 21-acetate thereby formed to the corresponding 20-nitrite ester and subsequent photolysis thereof. If a 21-hydroxyl derivative is desired, the 16-oximinol7fi,20a-oxido-4-pregnene-21-ol 3,11 dione 21 acetate formed by the process outlined, may be hydrolyzed microbiologically with F lavobacterium dehydrogenans (Rutgers Collection No. 130) according to the procedure described in Example 60 of this application.

Similarly, in my process 5,ld-pregnadiene-15,3;3-diol- 20-one is preferably converted to the corresponding 1,3- diacetate by means of acetic anhydride and pyridine prior to reduction of the ZO-ketone with sodium borohydride and subsequent esterification with nitrosyl chloride of the resulting 5,l6-pregnadiene-1fi,3,8,20u-triol 1,3-diacetate and irradiation with ultraviolet light of the ZOa-nitrite ester thereby formed.

According to my process, the l6-dehydro-20u-nitritepregnane esters, after preparation and isolation as described above, are dissolved in a non-reactive solvent containing 1% pyridine prior to being irradiated with ultraviolet. The solvent chosen preferably has a high degree of transparency to the ultraviolet radiation Within the specified band of nitrite absorption. Solvents which may be used for the photolysis of the nitrite include acetic acid, acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene, chloroform, cyclohexane, dimethylether, dimethylformamide, dioxane, ethyl acetate, Freon 113, heptane, methanol, ethanol, methylene chloride, and toluene. Of these, benzene and toluene yield preferred results.

It has been found advantageous in this process to add about 1% by volume of pyridine to the photolysis solution, to inhibit competing reactions during the irradiation of the solution of the ZOa-nitrite.

While the solvents used in the photolysis are ordinarily water-free, a small amount of moisture in the solvent used for photolysis, does not ordinarily interfere with the progress of the ultraviolet activation and rearrangement of the nitrite in accordance with the present invention.

The ultraviolet radiation used to activate the nitrite radical so as to cause it to be transferred in part to the 16-carbon atom with concomitant splitting of one of the bonds between C-l6 and C-l7 resulting in the formation of the l6-oximino function and the 17fl,20a-epoxy function, is that band of radiant energy which corresponds to some or all of the ultraviolet absorption of the nitrite radical, and from 3000 A. to 4400 A. This energy is conveniently supplied by a Hanovia high pressure mercury arc lamp with a Pyrex sleeve, While the nitrite to be by irradiation with the selected band of ultraviolet radia-- tion is monitored from time to time by testing aliquots with diphenylamine hydrochloride reagent. The reaction is complete when the aliquot ceases to give a blue color with the reagent.

My process where'a 16-dehydro-20a-nitrite pregnane is irradiated by ultraviolet light is usually carried out utilizing a 200 watt mercury lamp as an ultraviolet light source with the irradiated material being dissolved in benzene containing 1% pyridine based on the volume of solvent, the pyridine-containing-benzene solution being kept under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The irradiation is usually continued for about an hour, at temperatures in the range of 5 to +20 C., and preferably in the range of 7 to 13 C. The novel l6-oximino-l7;3,20a-oxidopregnanes formed by the irradiation with ultraviolet light of the ZOa-nitrite-lS-dehydropregnane are usually isolated by concentrating in vacuo the photolyzed solution with subsequent crystallization of the resultant residue in an organic solvent such as acetone, hexane, ethyl acetate, and the like.

By my process, as described hereinabove, a compound such as 4,16-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3-one is first reacted with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine to yield 4,16-pregnadiene- 20oc-0l-3-0ne ZO-nitrite which, upon irradiation from a 200 watt mercury lamp while in a benzene solution containing 1% pyridine for about one hour at 10 C. while under a blanket of nitrogen yields 16-0XiInin0l7 3,20oz oxido-4-pregnene3-one which is purified by recrystallization from acetone. Similarly, by my process, 5,16-pregnadiene-3B,20a-diol is reacted with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine to give the corresponding 35,20a-dinitrite ester which upon irradiation in a pyridine-containing-benzene solution yields 16-0Xl111l110-17fi',20u-0Xld0 5 pregnene- The novel l6-oximino-l7p,20a-oxidopregnanes of Formulae I, II, and III including the 2 and 6 methyl homologs thereof have been found to erties when tested in mice.

In addition, the l6-oximino-l7fl,20a-oxidopregnanes of my invention are valuable as intermediates in preparing the novel 16-oximino-20-ketopregnanes of Formulae 0 IV, V, and VI which, in turn, are valuable intermediates in preparing 16-amino-20-ketosteroids which are known,

therapeutically active compounds.

The 16-oXimino-20-ketopregnanes of Formulae IV, V,

and VI, are prepared from the corresponding 16-oximino- 17,8,20a-oxido-pregnanes of Formulae I, II, and III by re action with a dilute aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide. Usually the '16- III is dissolved in an inept solvent, and preferably dioxane,

possess anti-fertility'propf is isolated by extraction with an organic solvent. Purification of the 16-oximino-20-ketopregnane thus formed is accomplished by known recrystallization or chromatographic techniques.

Utilizing the process described hereinabove, 16-oximine-17fl,20a-oxido-4-pregnene-3-one (prepared by the ultraviolet irradiation of 4,16-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3-one 20-nitrite in a pyridine-benzene solution) in dioxane solution, to which has been added a molar excess of 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide, is refluxed for 12 minutes (under nitrogen) then cooled and extracted with methylene chloride. Evaporation of the methylene chloride extracts, followed by purification of the resultant residue via chromatographic techniques, such as that utilizing a Florisil column eluted with ether-benzene (2:3), yields 16-oximino-progesterone (i.e., 16-oximino 4 pregnene- 3,20-dione).

Similarly, 1fi-oximino-175,20u-oxido-5-pregnene-3[i olin dioxane containing a molar excess of 10% potassium hydroxide upon refluxing under nitrogen yields a compound Of Formula VI, 16-oximino-5-pregnene-3 3-01-20- one.

By my novel process whereby the l6-OXimi110-17B,20ezoxide-pregnanes of Formulae I, II, and III are reacted with an alkaline solution to form the corresponding 16- oximino-ZO-ketopregnanes of Formulae IV, V, and VI, it is now possible to prepare hitherto unknown monooximes of poly-ketones. These 16-mono-oximes may be reduced either electrolytically or with aluminium amalgam to yield the corresponding 16-amino-20-keto compounds which are known compounds having therapeutic activity. Thus, for example, by my process as outlined hereinabove, 5,16-pregnadiene-1B,3B-diol-20-one diacetate may be reduced with lithium aluminum hydride and the isomeric mixture separated via chromatographic techniques to give 5,16-pregnadiene-1;8,3fl,20a-triol 1,3-diacetate which upon subsequent reaction with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine, yields 5,l6-pregnadiene-1 B,3fi,20cc-t1'l0l 1,3-diacetate 20-nitrite. Irradiation of the latter 1,3-diacetate 20-nitrite ester in benzene containing 1% pyridine with a 200 watt mercury lamp and isolation as heretofore described yields the novel 16-oximino-17fi,20a-oxido pregnene-1fi,3,6-diol diacetate which, upon treatment with aqueous potassium hydroxide produces the novel 16- mono-oxime of Formula VI, i.e., 16-oximino-5-pregnene- 1fl,3fi-diol-20-one. Reduction of the latter compound with aluminium amalgam according to known techniques yields 16a-amiuo-5-pregnene-1p,3 8-diol-20-one which is a known compound valuable as a coronary dilator.

To prepare the l-dehydro analogs of Formulae II and r V, one can utilize as starting compound a ZOu-hYdI'OXY- 16-dehydro-1,4-pregnadiene, and prepare the ZOu-nitrite ester thereof. Subsequent photolysis of the aforementioned ZOa-nitrite with utraviolet light yields the corre sponding novel compound of Formula II, namely the l6-oximino-17,3,20a-oxido-1,4-pregnadiene.

Alternatively, a 16-oximino-17/3,20a-oxido-1,4 pregnadiene or a 16-oximino-20-keto-1,4-pregnadiene may be prepared by dehydrogenation of a corresponding 4-pregnene of Formulae II and IV respectively either by microbiological techniques such as that utilizing Corynebacterium simplex in the manner described in US. Patent No. 2,837,464, or by chemical methods such as that utilizing selenium dioxide in dioxane.

Thus, according to my invention, 1,4,16-pregnatriene- 3,20-dione is reduced with lithium aluminum hydride and the resultant 1,4,16-pregnatriene-a-ol-3-one upon treatment with nitrosylchloride in pyridine is converted to the corresponding 20-nitrite ester. Upon irradiation of the 1,4,l6-pregnatriene-20a-ol-3-0ne 20-nitrite with ultraviolet light there is formed a novel compound of Formula H, namely, 16-oximino-17,6,20a-oxido-1,4-pregnadiene-3- one, which upon treatment with aqueous 10% potassium hydroxide, is converted to a novel compound of Formula V, i.e., 16-oximino-l,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione. Alterna- 0 tively, 16-oximino-17,8,20a-oXido-4-pregnehe and 16-oximino-4-pregnene-3,20-dione, prepared according to my invention, are each treated with Corynebacterium simplex and there are obtained the corresponding 1,4-dienes, re-

spectively of my invention.

The 16-acyloxyimino 175,200: oxidopregnanes, the compounds of Formulae I, H, and III and the 16-acyloxyimino-20-keto pregnanes of Formulae IV, V, and VI, wherein R is an acyl residue of the hydrocarbon carboxylic acid, are conveniently prepared from the corresponding 16-oximino steroids (i.e., wherein R is hydrogen) utilizing conventional esterification techniques such as that using an acid anhydride or acid chloride with pyridine. Under usual esterification conditions, any free bydroxyl groups, such as a C-1, C-3, or C-2l hydroxyl, will also esterify, so that 16-oximino-l7,8,20u-oxido-4- pregnene-21-ol-3,1l-dione upon reaction with acetic anhydried in pyridine will yield the 16,21-diacetate.

Thus, 16 oximino l7B,20oc oxido-4-pregncne-3-one upon reaction with acetic anhydride in pyridine will yield the corresponding 16-acetyloximinopregnane, whereas reaction of the aforementioned oximinooxido steroid with benzoyl chloride in pyridine will yield the corresponding benzoyloximino pregnane.

Similarly, 16 oximinoprogesterone (16 oximino-4- pregnene-3,20-dione) is reacted with propionic anhydride in pyridine to give 16-oxirnino-4-pregnene-3,20-dione propionate.

My invention Will appear more fully from the examples which follow. These examples are set forth by way of illustration only, and it is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited to the details contained therein as many modifications in materials and methods will be apparent from the disclosure to those skilled in the art. The invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

' ylformamide then add 8 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate and 0.1 ml. of methanol. Reflux the resulting solution for 3 /2 hours then cool and neutralize with 45 mg. of sodium bicarbonate. Slowly add the neutralized solution to 200 ml. of ice Water, and stir for /2 hour. The resulting precipitate is filtered and dried to give 3,5,16-pregnatriene-3-ol-20-one 3-methyl ether, which is used without further purification in the procedure of Example 1B.

B. 4,1G-PREGNADIENE-ZOa-Ohfi-ONE Dissolve the 3,5,16-pregnatriene-3-ol-20-one S-methylether prepared as described in Example 1A and add the ethereal solution to an ice cold solution of 400 mg. of lithium aluminum hydride in 40 ml. of tetrahydrofuran. Reflux the solution for 4 hours then cool and add ethyl acetate to destroy any excess lithium aluminum hydride, then add saturated sodium sulfate solution. Decant the organic layer from the aqueous solution and evaporate the organic layer to a residue to which is added 7.5 ml. of methanol and 0.18 ml. of ZN-hydrochloric acid. Leave the solution overnight then pour into excess water and bring to neutrality with sodium bicarbonate then extract with methylene chloride. Combine the organic extracts, dry over sodium sulfate and concentrate to a residue which is chromatographed as follows: Dissolve the residue in a minimum of benzene and chromatograph over 9 g. of Florisil and elute with ether. Combine the etherbenzene eluates and recrystallize from isopropylether to give 4,16-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3-one; M.P. 185-188" C. (transition at C.); R =0.14 (ligroin-propylene glycol); e =15,400; N at 2.92, 6.02, 6.22m

16-0ximin0-17 8,20a-Oxid-4-Pregnene-3-One A. 4,1G-PREGNADIENE-ZOa-OL-Za-O NE 20 -NITRITE Dissolve 409 mg. of 4,16-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3-one in 40 m1. of dry pyridine and cool the solution to minus 25 C. To this solution in a substantially anhydrous system add dropwise with stirring a freshly prepared solution of nitrosyl chloride in pyridine (about 1:5). :The nitrosyl chloride is added until the appearance of a powder-blue tint indicates the end point. Add a few drops more of nitrosyl chloride and stir the resultant orange-brown solution for minutes then add 800 ml. of ice water. Filter the precipitate which separates and dry at room temperature overnight, to give, 4,l6-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3- one 20-nitrite M1 +104 (chloroform 1% pyridine) which is used Without further purification in the procedure of Example 2B.

B. 1G-OXIMINO-175-20a-OXIDO-4PREGNENE3ONE Dissolve the 4,l6-pregnadiene-20u-ol-3-one 20-nitrite prepared in Example 2A in 190 ml. of benzene containing 1% pyridine. Dry the solution over sodium sulfate and filter into a water cooled Vycor immersion Well which is in proximity to a 200 watt Hanovia high pressure mercury arc lamp. Irradiate the dry benzene solution for 1 hour under nitrogen at C. with the 200 watt mercury arc lamp until a spot test indicates the complete disappearance of the nitrite ester. Then concentrate the benzene solution in vacuo at 50 C. to a residue which is triturated with acetone, filtered and recrystallized from acetone to give 16-oximino-17/3,2Oa-oXido-4-pregnene-3-one; M.P. 2l1-225 C.; 17,700; 56.7 (dioxane), -42.8 (chloroform); at 3.09, 6.08, 6.24% no color with tetranitromethane or ferric chloride and R =0.25 (ligroin: toluene, 1:1-propylene glycol).

' EXAMPLE 3 16-Oximin0-1713-20a-0xid0-4-Pregnene-3-One Acetate Dissolve 150 mg. of 16-oximino-17/3-20a-oxido-4-pregnene-3-one in 6 ml. of pyridine and add 3 ml. of acetic anhydride. 2 hours then pour into 200 ml. of ice water. 'Filter the precipitate which separates and recrystallize from ace tone-hexane to give 16-oximino-17/i-20a-oxido-4-pregnene-3-one acetate; M.P. 173-177 C.; 3q 5=18,500; at 5.67, 6.08, 6.24, 7.9, 8.08, 8.22, 8.38 and 8.48,u; 74.2 (chloroform).

Other acetic anhydrides such as, propionic anhydride, butyric anhydride, and caproic anhydride may be substituted for acetic anhydride in the above procedure and there Willbe obtained, respectively, 16-OXiII1l110-17/3,20ccoxido-4-pregnene-3-one propionate, 16-OXlIIlll'lO-17,B,2Qotoxido-4-pregnene-3-one butyrate, and 16-oximino-17B- 20a-oxido-4-pregnene-3-one caproate.

In addition, benzoyl chloride may be substituted for acetic anhydride in the above procedure to give 16- oximino-l7fl-20a-oxido-4-pregnene-3-one benzoate.

EXAMPLE 4 1 6-0ximin0-1 75,200;-Oxfdo-5-Pregnene-3B-Ol A. 5,1 6-PREGNADIENE-3B,20a-DIOLDINITRITE React 5,16-pregnadiene-3B,20ot-diol with nitrosyl chloride according to the procedure described in Example 2A to give 5,16-pregnadiene-3,B,20u-diol dinitrite,

B. 1G-OXIMINO-I'Tfi,20a-OXIDO-5-PREGNENE-3B-OL Dissolve 5,l6-pregnadiene-3fi,20a-diol dinitrite in benzene and irradiate with ultraviolet light in the manner described in Example 23 and isolate the resultant product in the manner described therein. Triturate the isolated product with ethyl acetate and filter to give 16-oximino- 17,8,20ot-oxido-5-pregnene-3fl-ol.

' ing to the procedure of Example 2B. The resultant prod- Leave the solution at room temperature for i 16-oximino-175,20u-oxido-5-pregnene-3,B o1 may be reacted with acetic anhydride in pyridine according to the procedure described in Example 3 to give 16-oximino- 1713,20a-0Xido-5-pregnene-3fi-ol diacetate.

EXAMPLE 5 4,16-Pregnadiene-20u,21-Di0l-3,11 -Di0ne 21 -A cetate Dissolve 200 mg. of 4,16-pregnadiene-21-ol-3,'l1,20-

trione 21-acetate in 5 ml, of methanol. Cool toOf C. and add 43 mg. of sodium borohydride in 2 ml. of methanol. Stir the solution at 0 C. for 10 minutes then neutralize with acetic acid and concentrate the reaction mixture to a small volume. Chromatograph the residual oil on silica gel eluting with'hexane-ether. Combine the like fractions and concentrate to a residue substantially of 4,16-pregnadiene-20oc,21-diol-3,1l-dione 21-acetate.

EXAMPLE 6 1 6-0ximin0-1 7f3,20a-0xid0-4-Pregnene-21-0l-3,11-Di0ne A. 4,1S-PREGNADIENE-20a,21-DIOL-3,1l-DIONEt 20-NITRITE 21-ACETATE I React 4,16-pregnadiene-20tx,21-diol-3,ll-dione 21-acetate with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine according to the procedure of Example 2A, to give, 4,16-pregnadiene-20oc- 2 1 -diol-3 ,1 1 -dione 20-nitrite 2 l-acetate.

B. IG-OXIMINO-l75,20a-OXIDO-4-PREGNENE-21-0L-3,11-

DIONE ZI-ACETATE Irradiate 4,l6-pregnadiene-20a,2l-dioI-3,1l-dione 20- nitrite ZI-acetate in benzene with ultraviolet light accorduot is isolated as described to glVe'16-OXlII1lI10-17l3,200toxido-4-pregnene-21-ol-3,ll-dione 2lacetate.

o. 16-OXIMINO-17B,20a-OXIDO-4-PREIGNENE-2LOL-3,11- DIONE Subject l6-oximino-17,8,20u-oxido-4-pregnene-2l-ol 3, ll-dione 21-acetate to the action of a culture of Flavobacterium dehydrogenans (Rutgers Collection No. 130) according to the following procedure.

The culture of the organism is prepared by propagating it in a nutrient agar medium at 30 C. for 24 to 72 hours. During incubation, the inoculated tube is exposed to light with the resultant development of a yellow pigment characteristic o-fthe species. The developed culture is rinsed from an agar slant under sterile conditions into a sterile medium of pH 6.8 and having the following composition:

Grams Yeast extract (Difco) 10 Potassium phosphate monobasic 4.48 Sodium phopshate dibasic 4.68

Tap water to 1 liter.

maintained at about 33 C. and is conducted under aerobic. Y a i conditions. Aeration is accomplished by agitation and/or blowing air through the culture medium.

After the organism has grown for 12 to 24 hours (or longer, if desired), ml. of the growing culture are introduced into each of ten flasks, and to each flask are added 200 mg. of 16-oximino-17B,20a-oxido-4-pregnene- 21-ol-3,11,dione 2l-acetate dissolved in a minimum volume of ethanol. The reaction mixtures are then shaken I at 30 C. for 12 to 72 hours. The reaction is stopped when paper chromatography indicates that there is no more starting material.

The contents of the flasks are combined and extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts are concentrated and the residue is crystallized from acetone-hexane yielding 16-oXimino-17fi,20a,oxido 4 pregnene-2l-ol 3,1 1- dione. i

The diacetate ester of the compound of thisexample is 1;

EXAMPLE 7 16-Oximin0-1 713,20oc-xid0-1,4-Pregnadielze-3i-One Subject l6-oximino-17B,20a oxido 4 pregnene-3-one (the compound of Example 2) to the action of Bacillus sphaericus var. fusiformz's (A.T.C.C. 7055) in the following manner:

Bacillus splzaericus var. fusiformis (A.T.C.C. 7055) is incubated on a nutrient agar (composed of Bacto-beef extract, 3 g.; Bactopeptone, g.; sodium chloride, 8 g.; agar, g.; tap water, 1 liter) for 24 hours at 28 C.

To 100 ml. of a sterile nutrient broth (composed of Bacto-beef extract, 3 g.; Bacto-peptone, 5 g.; per liter of tap water) in a 300 ml. flask is added one loopful of the incubated culture and the broth mixture is further incubated for 24 hours at 28 C. on a shaking machine. The broth culture so obtained is employed as an inoculum (1%).

Into each of ten flasks containing 100 ml. of sterile nutrient broth is added 1 ml. of the inoculurn. The flasks are agitated on a rotary shaker for 8 hours at 28 C, at 240 strokes per minute. After this growth period, a solution of mg. of 16-oximino-175,20a-oxido-4-pregnene- 3-one in 0.5 ml. of methanol is aseptically added to each flask which in turn is reshaken and incubated for an additional 24 hours. The final pH is 7.8.

The contents of the flasks are then combined and extracted three times with 2 liters of chloroform per extraction. The combined chloroform extracts are evaporated to dryness yielding 310 mg. of crude product. The crude steroid is purified by chromatography on a Florisil.

Alternatively, the crude product is recrystallized from acetone to give 16-oximino-16,9,20a-oxido-L4-pregnadiene-3-one.

Alternatively, the compound of this example is prepared by subjecting 16-oximino-17fl,20u-oxido-5-pregnene- -01 (the compound of Example 4) to the action of Bacillus sphaericus according to the above procedure.

EXAMPLE 8 16-0ximin0-173,20m-0xid0-1,4-Pregnadiene- 21-Ol-3,1l-Di0ne Subject to the action of Bacillus sphaericus 16-oximino- 175,20a-0xid0-4-pregnene-21 ol 3,11-dione (the compound of Example 60) according to the procedure of Example 7. The resultant product is l6-oximino-l7 3,20aoxido-1,4-pregnadiene-21-ol3,11-dione.

Reaction of the compound of this example with acetic acid in pyridine according to the procedure of Example 3 gives l6-oximino 175,200; oxido-l,4-pregnadiene-2Lol- 3,1l-dione diacetate.

EXAMPLE 9 1 6 -0xim inoprogesterone To a solution of 1.95 g. of 16-oximino-17fl,20a-oxido- 4-pregncne-3-one (the compound of Example 2) in 100 m1. of dioxane under nitrogen, add 100 ml. of 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide and stir the mixture at reflux temperature for 12 minutes. Cool the reaction mixture, then neutralize with acetic acid and extract with methylene chloride. Combine the methylene chloride extracts, then wash with water, dry over sodium sulfate and evaporate in vacuo to a residue. Chromatograph the residue on Florisil eluting with ether-benzene (2-3). The ether-benzene eluates are combined and concentrated in vacuo to give 16-oximino progesterone, MP. 240- 246 C.

In a similar manner, 16-oximino-l7 3,20u.-omdo-5-pregnene-3,8-ol (the compound of Example 4), 16-oxi-mino- 17B,2O x-oxido-4 pregnene 21-o1-3,11-dione (the com pound of Example 6), l6-oximino-l7fl,20a-oxido-l,4- pregnadiene-3-one (the compound of Example 7), and 16-oximino-17fi,20a-oxido 1,4 pregnadiene-2l-ol-3,lldione (the compound of Example 8) are each reacted with aqueous potassium hydroxide according to the procedure of this example to yield respectively, l6-oximino- 5-pregnene-3B-ol-20-one, 16-oximino 4 pregnene-21-ol- 3,11,20-trione, 16 oximino 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione, and l6-oximino 1,4 pregnadiene-21-ol-3,l1,20-trione.

EXAMPLE 10 16-Oximin0progesterone Acetate lfi-oximinoprogesterone is reacted with pyridine and acetic anhydride in the manner described in Example 3 to give, 16-oximinoprogesterone acetate.

Similarly, 16-oximino 5 pregnene-3fl-ol-20-one, l6- oximino 4 pregnene-21-ol-3,l1-20-trione, 16-oximino- 1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione and 16-oximino-1,4-pregnadiene-Z1-ol-3,1 1,20-trione are each reacted with acetic anhydride in pyridine according to the procedure of Example 3 to give respectively, 16-oximino-5-pregnene-3flol-20-one 3,16-diacetate, l6pximino-4-pregnene-21-ol-3, 11,20-trione 16,21-diacetate, l6-oximino l,4-pregnadiene- 3,20-dione acetate and lfi-oximino-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-ol- 3,11,20-trione 16,2l-diacetate.

In the above procedure benzoylchloride may be substituted by acetic anhydride to give the respective benzoate esters, i.e., 16-oximinoprogesterone benzoate, 16- oximino-S-pregnene 3,8 ol-20one 3,16-dibenzoate, 16- oximino-4-pregneue-21-ol-3,1 l,20-trione, 16,21 dibenzoate, 16-oximino-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione benzoate and 16oximino-l,4-pregnadiene-2l-ol-3,11,20 trione 16,21- dibenzoate.

EXAMPLE 1 1 16-Oximin0-1 75,20a-Oxid0-5-Pr6gi1e1ze-1/3,3B-Diol A. 5,1G-PREGNADIENE-1B,3fl-DIOL-ZO ONE DIACETATE Treat 5,l6-pregnadiene-15,35-diol-20-one with acetic anhydride in pyridine in a manner similar to that described in Example 3, isolate the product in the described manner and air-dry to give, 5,1G-pregnadiene-lfljB-dioI- 20-one diacetate.

B. 5,16-PREGNADIENE-1fi,3fi,20a-TRIOL LS-DIACETATE Treat 5,16-pregnadiene-1fl,3 S-diol-20-one 1,3-diacetate with sodium borohydride in methanol in a manner similar to that described in Example 5. Chromatograph the resultant product on silica gel eluting with hexane-ether according to the described procedure to give 5,16-pregnadienelfl,3p,20a-triol-1,3-diacetate.

C. 5,1G-PREGNADIENE-1B,3B,20a.TRIOL 1,3-DIACETATE ZO-NITRI'TE Treat 5,1G-pregnadiene-lB,3fl,20u-triol 1,3 diacetate with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine in a manner similar to that described in Example 2A. Isolate the resultant product in the described manner to give 5,l6-pregnadiene- 1B,3B,20oc-iri01 1,3-diacetate ZO-nitrite.

D. 16-0XIMINO-17t3,20a-0XIDO-5-PREGNENE-1B,3B-DIOL 1,3-DIACETATE Irradiate a solution of 5,1o-pregnadiene-1[3,3[3,20a-triol 1,3-diacetate 20-nitrite in benzene containing 1% pyridine with a 200 watt Hanovia mercury arc lamp according to the procedure of Example 2B. Isolate and purify the resultant product in the described manner to give 16-oximino-17 B,20c-oxido-5-pregnene-1 5,3 fi-diol 1,3-diacetate.

E. 16-OXIMINO-175,20a-OXIDO-5-PREGNENE-1fi,3B-DIOL ample 6C. Isolate in the described manner to give, l6-oximino-175,20a-0Xid0-5-pregnene-116,3,B-diol.

EXAMPLE 12 16-Oximino-5-Pregnene-1fififi-Diol-ZO-One Treat 16-oximino-l7B,2Oa-oxido-5-pregnene-15,3,6-dio1 (compound of Example 11) with an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide in dioxane according to the procedure of Example 9. Isolate the resultant product in the described manner to give 16-oximino-5-pregnene- 1fi,3 9-dio'l-20-one.

Alternatively, the compound of this example is prepared by allowing 16-oximino-l7p,20a-oxido-5-pregnenelfijfi-diol 1,3diacetate (the compound of Example 11D) to react' with 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide in dioxane in a manner similar to that described in Example 9 but increasing the reflux time from 12 to 20 minutes.

EXAMPLE 13 6-Methy l-16-Oximin0-1 76,20a-Oxid-5-Pregnene- 313-01 3-Acetate A. 6-METHYL-5,1G-PREGNADIENE-3fi,20a-DIOL B-ACETATEl Treat 6-methyl-5,16-pregnadiene-3fi-ol-ZO-one 3-acetate with lithium aluminum hydride according to the procedure of Example 1B. Chromatograph on Florisil in the described manner to give 6-methyl-5,l6-pregnadiene- 3,8,200L-di01 3-acetate.

B. G-METHYL-5,1GPREGNADIENE-3fl,20a-DIOL 3-AC1'LJJATE ZO NITRITE Treat 6-methy1-5,16-pregnadiene-3fl,20u-diol S-a'cetate with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine according to the procedure of Example 2A. Isolate and purify the resultant product in the described manner to give 6-methyl-5,16- pregnadiene-IiBQOu-dml S-acetate 20-nitrite.

o. 6-METHYL-16-OXIMINO-17B,20'a-OXIDO-5-PREGNENE- Irradiate a solution of 6-methyl-5,16-pregnadiene-3B, ZOcc-dlOl 3-acetate ZO-nitrite in benzene containing 1% pyridine according to the procedure of Example 2B. Isolate the resultant product in the described manner to give 6 methyl 16 oximino-l7fi,2Oa-oxido-5-pregnene- 35-01 I i-acetate.

D. G-YIETHYL-lG-OXIMINO-l73,20a-OXIDO--PREGNENE- Subject the 3-acetate ester of Example 13C to the action of Flavobacterium dehydrogenans according to the procedure of Example 6C. Isolate and purify the resultant product to give 6-methyl-16-oximino-17fi,20a-oxido-5- pregnene-3fl-ol.

EXAMPLE 14 o-Methyl-l 6-Oximino-S-Pregnenedfl-OI-ZO-One 6"- methyl 16-0Ximl1'l0-17 9,20ct-OXidO-S-PffigllfiIlG-Bfi- 01 is allowed to react with aqueous potassium hydroxide in dioxane in the manner described in Example 6C. Isolate the resultant product in the described manner to give 6-methyl-16-oximino-5-pregnene-3-Li-ol-20- one.

EXAMPLE l5 lo-Oxim[no-175,20a-Oxido-4-Pregnene-3,11-Di0ne A. 3-ETHYLENEDIOXY-5,l6-PREGNADIENE-20a- OL-ll-ONE Treat 3 ethylenedioxy-S,l6-pregnadiene-l1,20-dione with sodium borohydride in the manner described in Example 15. Isolate the resultant product in the de scribed manner to give 3-ethylenedioxy-5,IG-pregnadiene- ZOa-Ol-l l-one.

B. 4,1G-PREGNADIENE20a-OL-3,11-DIONE To 300 mg. of 3-ethylenedioxy-5,16-pregnadiene-20a- 01-1 l-one add 750 ml. of methanol and 18 ml. of 2 N- hydrochloric acid. Leave the solution overnight then I pour into excess Water, bring to neutrality with sodium wherein X is a member selected from the group consistbicarbonate and extract with methylenechloride. Combine the organic extracts, dry over sodium sulfate and concentrate to a residue. The resultant residue is chromatographed on Florisil in a minimum of benzene, eluting with ether to give 4,16-pregnadiene-20ot-ol-3,1l-dione.

C. 4,16-PREGNADIENE20u-OL-3,11-DIONE| ZOLNITRITE Treat 4,16-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3,1l-dione with nitrosyl chloride in pyridine according to the procedure of Example 2A. lsolate the resultant product as described to give 4,l6-pregnadiene-20a-ol-3,11-dione 2G nitrite.

D. 1 6-OXIHINO 17B,20a-OXIDO-4-PREGNENE-3,1l-DIONE Irradiate a solution of 4,l6-pregnadiene-20a-o -3,lldione ZO-nit-rite in benzene containing 1% pyridine with ultraviolet light in the manner described in Example 2B. Isolate and purify the resultant product in the described manner to give 16-oximino-17B,20a-oxido-4-pregnene-3, ll-dione.

EXAMPLE 16 16-Oximino-e -Pregnene-3,11,20-Tri0ne Treat l6-oximino-l7 8,20u-oxido-4-pregnene-3,1l-dione with 10% aqueous potassium hydroxide in dioxane according to the procedure of Example 9. Isolate and purify the resultant product in the described manner to give 16-oximino-4-pregnene-3,1 1,20-trione.

Iclaim:

1. A 16-oximino steroid selected from the group consisting of pregnanes having the following structural formulae, and the 6-methy1 analogs thereof:

- X? film (acij mid z TNOR and ing of hydrogen and oxygen; Y is a member selected from the group consisting of H and CR R, R and R being members selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms; and Z is a member selected from the group consisting of the following:

CH Y cum c l =0 and i V o --H ('1 wherein Y is a member selected from the group con- 1 sisting of hydrogen and -OR R being a member of the 3. 16-oximino-l7B,20woxido-4-pregnene-3-one acetate.

4. 16 oximino 175,20a oxido 4 pregnene 3, ll-dione.

5. 1o-oximino-1713,20a-oxid0-5-pregnene-3[3-01.

6. l6 oximino 17,8,20a oxido 4 pregnene 21- ol-3,11-dione.

7. 16 oximino 175,200: oxido 4 pregnene 21- ol-3,11-dione 21-acetate.

8. 16 oximino 175,200 oxido 1,4 pregnadiene- 3-one.

9. 16 oximino 175,200; oxido 1,4 pregnadiene- 2l-ol-3,11-dione.

10. 16 oximino 175,200: oxido 5 pregnene- IfLSfl-diol.

1 1. 16-oximino-4-pregnene-3 ,20-dione.

12. l6-oximino-4-pregnene-3,11,20-trione.

13. l6-oXimino-5-pregnene-3B-o1-20-one.

14. l6-oximino-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione.

15. 16 oximino 1,4 pregnadiene 21 o1 3,11, ZO-trione.

16. 6 methyl 16 oximino 175,20oc oxido 5- pregnene-Iifi-ol.

17. In the process of preparing a 16-oximinopregnane selected from the group consisting of compounds having the following structural formulae and the 6-methyl analogs thereof:

Z TNO R wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and oxygen; Y is a member selected from the group consisting of H and CR R, R and R being members selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboXylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms; and Z is a member selected from the group consisting of the followand wherein Y is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and -OR R being a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms; the step which comprises irradiating with ultraviolet light a solution of a ZOa-nitrite ester se- 16 I lected from the group consisting of compounds of the following formulae:

wherein X and Y are as heretofore defined, and Y is a member selected from the group consisting of H, ONO, and -OR R being a member selected from the group consisting of H and an acyl radical of a carboxylic acid containing up to 8 carbon atoms; and R is a member selected from the group consisting of H, -NO, and an acyl radical of a carboxylic acid containing up to 8 carbon atoms; said solution containing about 1% pyridine, and said ultraviolet radiation including an absorption band of the nitrite radical.

18. In the process of preparing a 16-oximino-17B,20uoxido-pregnane selected from the group consisting of compounds having the following structural formulae:

CHzY

-NOR

and

(llHgYi 11-0 wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of H and keto; Y and Y are members selected from the group consisting of H and 0R R, R and R being members selected from the group consisting of H and an acyl radical of a carboxylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms; the steps which comprise reacting a nitrosyl halide with a 20u-hydroxy-16-dehydropregnane of the group consisting of compounds having the following structural formulae:

Nip

X? gm pg wherein X is a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and oxygen; Y and Y are members se- 7 lected from thegrou-p consisting of hydrogen and CR R, R and R being members selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of a hydrm carbon carboxylic acid having up to 8 carbon atoms the steps which comprise reacting a dioxane-aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide with a 16-oximino- 4 17,3,20a-0Xidosteroid of the group consisting of compounds having the following structural formulae:

CHzYl and wherein X, Y, Y R and R are as heretofore defined; i and isolating the 16-oximino-20-ketopregnane thereby j produced.

19 20. In the process of preparing a 16-oximino derivative of a polyketone of the group consisting of:

p cm NOR CHQY] H- OH GHaYr H-'-COH and CHgY

HC-OH wherein X, Y, Y and R are as defined hereinabove;

and subjecting to ultraviolet radiation the 16-dehydro- ZOa-Ilitl'ite ester thereby produced in a non-polar solvent containing about 1% by volume of pyridine, said radiation including an absorption band of the nitrite radical at C-20; treating the l6-oximino-17,3,20a-0xidopregnane 40 thereby produced with a dioxane-aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide; and isolating the 16-oximino-20- ketopregnane thereby produced.

No references cited. 

1. A 16-OXIMINO STEROID SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF PREGNANES HAVING THE FOLLOWING STRUCTURAL FORMULAE, AND THE 6-METHYLANALOGS THEREOF: 